RV camping near Lothian, Maryland offers access to state parks, historic sites, and the Chesapeake Bay region. Most campgrounds are situated within 15-30 miles of Lothian in nearby towns like Annapolis, Fort Belvoir, and College Park. Sites typically range from heavily wooded settings with partial shade to waterfront locations with fishing access directly from campsites.
What to Do
Historic exploration: Visit George Washington's birthplace, located near Thousand Trails Harbor View. "George Washington's birthplace is right down the road from the campground," states Jason E. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Revolutionary War history.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at multiple locations around Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. "Fish from your chair," reports Lisa T. The waterfront sites provide direct access to fishing areas, with some campers reporting success catching crabs that can be steamed at your campsite.
Trail exploration: Explore fossils and hiking routes at nearby parks. "We loved going to Westmoreland park which was practically next door to Harbor View. Great trails and fossil beach was fun," shares Ariel F. Most trails in the region are relatively flat, making them accessible for various skill levels.
What Campers Like
Spacious waterfront sites: Direct water access at certain campgrounds provides scenic views and recreation options. "The daily waterfront sites are pricy but right on the water with great views," notes George L. about Bar Harbor. Waterfront sites typically cost $10-15 more per night than standard sites.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses at Bull Run Regional Park receive consistent praise. "They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," reports Yvonne B. Bathhouses typically close for 1-2 hours daily for cleaning.
Military campground options: Secure locations with amenities for eligible campers. "Military campground. Very spartan but great location. Not much to do in the campground and some long timers there. Dirt cheap," notes Ginny L. about Military Park United States Naval Academy/Annapolis Naval Station Annapolis FamCamp. Military campgrounds typically offer rates 30-50% lower than civilian alternatives.
What You Should Know
Pest management: Prepare for insects in warmer months. "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it! We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk," advises Nurse N. about Cedarville State Forest. Tick activity peaks from April through October in the Maryland woods.
Site leveling concerns: Bring leveling blocks for certain campgrounds. "The site was pretty level, but I could see that some others were not so much, so you might want to ask about that," explains Roberta K. Some campgrounds have sites with slopes of 3-6 inches from front to back.
Access limitations: Narrow roads in some parks require careful navigation. "Most sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads)," reports Kristen M. Sites with trees often have height clearance of 12-13 feet.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Check playground locations before booking. "Only drawback is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," notes Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park. Most family-friendly campgrounds have playgrounds within 5-10 minutes walking distance of campsites.
Child-friendly amenities: Use pool facilities during summer months. "Pool, playgrounds, game room, camp store, pavilions, everything!" says Jason E. about Cherry Hill Park. Pools typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with hours from 10am-7pm.
Nature programs: Participate in organized activities offered by park staff. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares Bridget H. Programs generally run on weekends during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Prioritize end spots for more privacy. "Our site was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk," notes Megan K. End sites typically offer 10-15 feet of additional separation from neighboring campers.
Connectivity considerations: Plan for variable service depending on location. "Cell service: I can confirm Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well," states Megan K. about Prince William Forest RV Campground. Most campgrounds report reliable service for Verizon users, with more variable results for other carriers.
Maneuvering challenges: Request specific sites for easier access. "The sites for RVs are a tough back in but worth the trouble. WiFi is good, washrooms are modern and adequate. A lot of long term residents but the transient sites are pretty separate," shares George L. Many parks have designated sections for visitors versus seasonal residents.
